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Aug 2009.

Harold Godwinson, the most under-rated English king, and a tragic hero.

In 1066 Harold was victorious over the Vikings at Stamford Bridge. The invading king Hardraada was slain and the Norwegian survivors sent home with their tails between their legs, never to return. Less than three weeks later, however, Harold of England was defeated by the Normans at the battle known to history as Hastings - which the English army fought after two epic marches across the length of the country, to Yorkshire and back. Harold was killed by a Norman arrow. His body was mutilated, his torso being later identified amid the carnage by his devoted widow Edith Swanneck.